350,000 California trout are infected with bacteria. Officials say they will be killed

Two California hatcheries battling bacterial infections will have to kill 350,000 rainbow trout intended to restock Eastern Sierra Nevada lakes, state officials reported.

Fish at the state’s Black Rock and Fish Springs hatcheries are sickened with the Lactococcus petauri bacteria, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a news release.

The bacteria, which is spread naturally in the environment, can cause fish to have bulging eyes, “lethargic or erratic swimming” and early death, the release said.

Experts believe birds may have carried it to the hatcheries.

The state is seeking a vendor to provide fish to restock Mono County lakes, and other California fisheries will help supply other Eastern Sierra lakes, the release said.

“This loss is a huge disappointment, but we were prepared for this possibility and are doing all we can to ensure to continued angling opportunity for the public,” said Russell Black, fisheries supervisor for the agency.

The department also plans changes at the hatcheries, which have been fighting the bacteria since April, to try to prevent future infections.